Sleeve Surprise
On a cool summer morning, I chose my outfit for the day. Cream colored jeans, white pullover shirt, and a lime green button up shirt to complete my look. Heart necklace around neck, step counter fastened on my wrist, socks and shoes on. I was ready to participate in a virtual writers conference and then, attend a neighborhood ladies luncheon.
All was going well. There was a bit of time before the events began, so I decided to complete some chores. Wash a few dishes, put away some clean laundry, and answer emails.
Yes, this day was going great. I was ready to face the world virtually and physically.
Until…a few hours into the morning, I noticed a strange lump on my left wrist area. What in the world?
You may have guessed this, as many people have experienced similar situations.
As I reached into my sleeve, I pulled out a ball of material. Yikes! A pair of underpants! How could this have happened?
I had been wearing this outfit all morning and never felt anything unusual.
Then… I paused and remembered.
The past few days had been stressful. A good kind of stress. Lots of writing and speaking opportunities. Decisions had to be made about each opportunity. My mind had become focused on the worry of the moment. Should I write this article? Should I work on my novel? Perhaps I should stop writing for a week. Maybe I need to make a list of things to do before attempting any of those things.
Pausing, breathing slower and slower, I looked at the strange sight that came out of my sleeve. I laughed out loud. A good hearty laugh. The kind of laugh that makes your belly shake.
Then…I thanked the Lord.
With all my worrying about tomorrow and my to-do lists, I had forgotten to go to Him for comfort.
The Lord has a wonderful sense of humor and often sends me the silliest messages. Sometimes those messages are found through a surprise in my sleeve.
I’m thankful that I didn’t find the “surprise” while I was at the ladies luncheon.
That discovery could have made for interesting conversation.
Thank You Lord, for constantly reminding me of Your love and glory. Thank You Lord for giving me the giggles.
Have you found any surprises in your sleeves lately? Or surprises in other places?
Blessings, giggles, joy, and prayers,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson
Cracker Crumbs and Little Friend
When you first read the title of this message, you might think I’m referring to finding a mouse or some other little creature eating cracker crumbs. No, not this time.
This past weekend, Alan decided to vacuum the floor in the living room. He’s a sweetheart! He takes care of the vacuuming and yes, I appreciate him very much.
As I was in our home office writing articles, blog posts, and taking care of other things on the computer, I heard the laundry room closet door open and close. I could hear Alan moving the vacuum across the floor and unwrapping the cord. A slap sounded when the cord hit the floor.
The loud sounds of my hard working husband and the hard working vacuum cleaner began. I kept writing. Best if I stayed out of the way. Alan was on a mission. I could hear Alan grunting as he moved the heavy vacuum cleaner back and forth across thick carpet and then, on to the hardwood floor.
Ten minutes passed. Machine turned off and all was quiet. The only sounds I could hear were the ice maker in the refrigerator and the sweet laughter of children playing outdoors.
Footsteps…
Alan entered the office. Stretching out his right arm, he opened his palm to display a tiny toy figure.
“What’s this? Where did this come from? I found this toy stuck between the sides of the cushion of the brown chair in the living room. I also found a lot of cracker crumbs under the chair.”
“Oh, my goodness! That is Rowan’s little friend,” I remembered. Rowan had brought “little friend” with him when he came to play last week. Certain toys are very important to three years old boys. I hoped Rowan was not missing this special toy.
We placed “little friend” on the kitchen counter in plain sight, so as not to lose him again. As for the cracker crumbs, they have found a new home in the vacuum cleaner canister. When I empty the can, their new home will be the trash.
I asked the Lord to show me the lesson to be learned from cracker crumbs and “little friend”. The Lord answered. He reminded me that we are never lost when we have Jesus in our heart. He reminded me that even cracker crumbs have a purpose. If Alan had not been vacuuming up the cracker crumbs, he would not have found Rowan’s special toy.
Have you looked under your chairs or couch lately? Are there cracker crumbs or toys waiting to be found? Each moment is precious. Take time to thank God for the small things in life. There’s always something to be learned. Share your crackers. Share your toys. Share His love.
Blessings and laughter,
Mimi aka Melissa
Shoe Tissue and Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy…
I’m laughing out loud this morning. Yes, the new year has begun and God is already giving me ways to laugh at myself and find joy. I appreciate the ways God shows me how to find joy every day.
One of my Christmas presents was a beautiful pair of bedroom slippers. The kind with the “no slip” backing, cozy and soft inside and cute on the outside. I couldn’t wait to try on my new slippers. I imagined my toes snuggling up to the inside of the shoes. No more cold feet on the floor. This was going to be fantastic!
Slipping my right foot into the opening of the shoe, I paused when I reached a certain point. My foot would not budge any further. I had already double checked the size. Yes, that was correct. What could cause my foot to only enter halfway into the shoe? Perhaps the size was marked incorrectly? Perhaps my foot was swollen due to eating too many salty foods the day before?
Reasons began filling my thoughts.
These slippers were cute and looked like they would make my feet comfortable. Why weren’t they fitting? Disappointment began to set in.
But, wait….
Yes, you may have experienced the same thing with a pair of shoes you tried to wear.
Silly Mimi! Looking inside the slipper, I noticed a large ball of tissue paper inserted in the toe area. That paper was placed inside to give the shoe form. Hooray!
Removing the tissue paper allowed my foot to slip right inside and find a home. Now, to the other shoe. Same thing, more tissue paper.
All ended well. Paper removed, feet inserted into slippers and a comfy, cozy experience began.
Along with finding joy in the simple moments in life, grandson Rowan and I have created our own song to sing when we are together. Simple words.
We sing “Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy…Happy, Happy, Joy!” Sometimes the tune or the rhythm changes, but the song always fills us with joy.
When we sing these words, Rowan and I bust out in laughter. I look forward to the day when we can teach his baby sister, Eden, the words to our special song. Yes, baby sister Eden was born in November 2020. We are now blessed with two wonderful grandchildren. Thank You Lord.
Look for joy in the simple moments. Whether tissue paper in a shoe or singing a made up song, God is providing happiness and joy. Can you share a time of unexpected joy?
Blessings and Happy New Year,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson
Mama’s Christmas Pins
Mama went to be with the Lord in February of 2013, just days before her 92nd birthday. Daddy had gone to Heaven on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1998.
After Daddy passed, things needed organizing. From paying bills, filling out forms, everyday grocery shopping and more, there were lists to be checked off. Mama, my two sisters(Glenda and Carol) and I organized the house preparing for a life without Daddy.
When Mama passed, she lived in assisted living and the organizing and coordinating task was smaller due to her not having so many things in her room. My sisters and I gathered together in Mama’s room. We cleaned, dusted and held each of Mama’s possessions with love and care.
Every item had a special memory. A birdhouse Mama created during craft time. Framed photographs of family. Books that had been given to her, as she loved to read. Quilts and special blankets made by special friends. So many beautiful items. So many precious memories.
As Glenda and Carol and I chose items to place in our own homes, tears fell from our eyes. Mama had touched these precious things with her own hands. A connection of love from one generation to the next. We could feel the love in the room.
Of the various things I chose to carry home, a small cardboard box containing a few Christmas pins caught my eye. Throughout the years, my husband and I had given Mama homemade Christmas pins. We had gathered the unique creations from various places. A teacher who was talented at making pins was one place where the pins came from. A few were purchased at a local store. Mama wore a couple of the pins. Others stayed in the little box.
Opening the box, the memory of Mama wearing the pins brought joy. A simple act of wearing a Christmas pin to complete her outfit. She always wanted her hair fixed, her nails polished and her clothes fresh and clean.
I have kept that box of Christmas pins and every year, I bring them out and wear one each day. A reindeer, a Christmas tree, an angel. Beautiful reminders of our precious Mama.
Do you wear Christmas pins? There are pins for women and men.
Merry Christmas,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson
Merry Christmas! Gifts for All!
Hello My Friends,
Thank you for being part of our lives. In appreciation for you, my author friends and I assembled this collection of gifts to enrich your holidays.
Click on the links from each author to receive your absolutely free, no-signing-up-for-newsletters-required gifts. If you have people in your life who could use a smile and holiday cheer, forward this to them.
Merry Christmas,
Linda Gilden, Linda Goldfarb, Melissa Henderson, Yvonne Ortega, Rhonda Robinson, PeggySue Wells, Karen Whiting, Debbie Wilson
‘Tis the season for giving gifts! Especially for you, Homeless for the Holidays is a hope-filled novella about a family that loses it all and find they have everything. Click HERE to download Homeless for the Holidays.
As the author of 29 books including The Ten Best Decisions A Single Mom Can Make and creator of Single Mom Circle.com., wishing you and yours grace and joy.
Merry Christmas,
PeggySue Wells
I love this season of the year celebrating the birth of Christ, singing carols, and putting out my collection of nativity sets. Of my 26 books, one is especially for this season: Christmas is Coming! But Waiting is Hard.
I want to give you two free gifts to make the season special.
- Keep Christ in Christmas with simple tips.
- Make shopping with children fun by using this Mall Sighting game to find signs of Christ’s birth as you shop. Play the game while shopping online by observing what’s in the background of various sites.
Find a delicious and versatile biscuit recipe, sample advent devotions for families, and other specials if you sign up for my newsletter as well as learn to understand the basic emotional needs of people to strengthen your relationships!
Merry Christmas!
Karen Whiting
Hi, I’m Debbie Wilson sending Christmas greetings your way. From personal experience and twenty plus years working as a Christian counselor, I know holidays can be tough. The first Christmas was also challenging as I discovered when writing Little Women, Big God. Many people are approaching the 2020 holiday season empty and depleted. Financially. Emotionally. Isolated from loved ones.
Click here to restore the Christmas spirit with How to Celebrate Christmas When You’re Empty and find other resources to refresh your faith.
May joy and peace fill you this Christmas!
Debbie Wilson
Merry Christmas. I’m Linda Gilden and I want to help you put a little fun in your Christmas. My book, Mama Was the Queen of Christmas, is filled with unique ideas. Click here to start the fun. I think you will love the 12 days of Christmas chapters.
Writing has been my passion for more than thirty years and I coach writers to make their books and articles something they can be proud of. Has God given you a passion you could share with others? I have included a free Beginner Writer’s Glossary to help you navigate the publishing world. Just click on Resources when you get to my website.
May God bless you this Christmas season and fill your heart and home with His presence.
Linda Gilden
Lindagilden.com
Hello friends! Coach Linda Goldfarb here with Christmas cheer to pass your way. If you have young children who enjoy coloring adventure books, my coauthor, Kelly Harris, and I want to gift you this season with our free download of Lovey Mouse in the Night Before Christmas – #REAL Adventure Book and Audio narration. We pray you and the children in your life enjoy this story as much as we did writing and recording it.
The holidays can be stress-filled, so as an additional gift, download your copy of my Holiday Stress – A Matter of Choice. These doable strategies help you cope when you feel you’ve lost hope. I’d be honored to stay in touch with you throughout this season and beyond. Check out Coach Linda to see where you can find me.
May you be blessed this season.
Linda Goldfarb
You’ve probably suffered many losses during the pandemic. Please know that you’re not alone. May you find comfort here. If you prefer to watch videos, click here or here.
I’ve experienced countless personal losses. As a professional counselor, I worked with hundreds of clients who struggled with grief, divorce, forgiveness, or a life-threatening illness. May you find peace, promise, and purpose in my series, Moving from Broken to Beautiful® here.
Jesus came to earth so you can live an abundant life. Pandemic or not, his promises do not change.
Hello, Melissa Henderson here. I want to share a video with you. Enjoy a reading of my children’s book, Licky the Lizard.
In this special story, we learn we don’t have to be afraid of lizards because God created the people and God created the lizards, too.
Blessings,
Melissa Henderson
The Leaning Bed of Henderson
A recent move from a rented townhouse to purchasing our own home involved many “to do” lists. Alan and I chose to rent a home when we moved from Virginia to South Carolina three years ago. After renting two beautiful townhomes in two years, we finally made the decision to purchase in the same neighborhood.
We put an offer on the home, it was accepted, and with papers signed, our new home was ready. Packing boxes, placing items for sale and giving items away happened almost daily. Donations to various organizations and friends helped those boxes become lighter.
Most of our furniture had been with us for years. Our dark cherry wood bedroom set reminded us of the Virginia mountainside. Although we have lived at the beach and the mountains, we’ve always had dark wood furniture.
This time, we decided that one day we would purchase “beach” furniture. That day would have to wait for now, but we could hope and dream about a headboard and nightstands, dresser and chest of drawers that looks more like a beach theme. A lighter color or maybe white furniture would be something to consider. Add that to the “to do” list.
God works in the most amazing ways. Two nights at the new home and all was well. We were settling in nicely and enjoying the new surroundings.
As I prepared for sleep by washing my face, putting on comfy pajamas and waiting for Alan to turn off the lights and t.v. in the living room, I prepared to get under the covers.
Situating myself on the side of the bed, I heard and felt a sudden sharp movement and sound.
“Crack!”
The connecting slats on my side of the bed had ripped away from the headboard. The bed now slanted at a strange angle and I slid off the side.
Immediately, I began laughing. Thinking about how God gives me the most funny and unusual experiences, I couldn’t stop laughing. Standing and looking at this lopsided bed made me think of all the stress of packing and moving and how amidst all that stress, God provided laughter.
“Alan, did you hear that? I broke the bed!” I shared while walking to the living room.
“No, I didn’t hear a thing. What happened?” He asked.
After explaining the situation and both of us laughing, we had to decide how to sleep. Alan decided the “leaning bed of Henderson” would work for him. He suggested I sleep on the guest bed.
Picture this. This six foot tall man slept on a leaning bed all night while I rested in a nice guest room bed. Yes, I do believe he probably almost rolled off the bed a few times, but he wouldn’t admit that.
This past weekend, we finally ordered a new bed frame. A nice beach theme. For now, the mattress and box springs are on the floor. The new bed won’t arrive until October.
In the middle of moving stresses, God reminded me once again how laughter can be found in the everyday moments of life. A broken bed provided laughter and the necessity to add “buy new bed” to the list of things to do “immediately”.
Thank You Lord. You always remind me of Your love and protection. You give laughter and joy even in the midst of unpacking boxes and checking off “to do” lists.
Have you ever broken a piece of furniture? Is there a funny story? Share with us.
Blessings and giggles,
Mimi aka Melissa
The Falling Toad
My morning routine includes opening my eyes and saying “Good morning God. Thank You for this glorious day and all Your blessings.” Before my feet touch the floor, I am thanking God.
Once I am dressed and ready for the day, I head for the front door.
Opening the door, I view the beauty outside and feel the early morning temperature. Once again, I say, “Thank You God, for this glorious day and all Your blessings.”
This simple routine starts my day with comfort and peace.
On a recent morning, things took a different turn. Placing my hand on the doorknob and twisting to open, I heard a slight “thud”. The humidity sometimes causes the door to “stick” a little so I thought that was probably the reason for the odd sound.
No! As I opened the door, a gray toad fell from the top of the door into the foyer.
My scream was probably loud enough to wake the neighbors. Luckily, no one came out to see what happened. Maybe my scream wasn’t as loud as I imagined.
There sat a gray toad in the foyer.
“Alan, come quickly. There’s a toad in the house! Help! How do I get him out of here?”
Alan replied while sitting in his chair in the living room. “What did you say? A toad? Where? How did it get in the house?”
“No time to explain. Get him out before he starts hopping around.” I didn’t want to see that toad jump and hide behind furniture where we couldn’t find him. All sorts of scenarios played in my mind.
Walking to the foyer without any speed or worry, my dear husband asked, “Where is it? Where’s the toad?” I explained that the toad was right there in front of him.
My superhero husband used a floor duster to scoot the little toad back outside. I think the fall must have stunned the toad. The toad sure stunned me.
My peaceful morning blessings were interrupted by a gray toad and laughter. Well, laughter once the toad was back outside.
I am not afraid of all creatures. I just don’t like when they interrupt my peaceful morning and try to come into the house.
Come to think of it, that toad probably thought I interrupted his quiet morning routine.
Silly toad. Stay outside. Please don’t linger on the front door. I am thankful it didn’t fall on my head. If that had happened, you would have heard me screaming all the way to your house, wherever you live.
This silly experience gave me time to pause and consider how easily I can be distracted from sharing time with God. What began as a peaceful morning giving praise to God, turned into a few moments of fright and frustration.
I’m glad the toad was put back outside and that I could continue saying, “Thank You God, for this glorious day and all Your blessings.”
Have a blessed day, and watch out for falling toads,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson
Toad photo courtesy of Pixabay
Meet Author Hope Bolinger
Hope Bolinger is a literary agent at C.Y.L.E. and a graduate of Taylor University’s professional writing program. More than 500 of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer’s Digest to Crosswalk.com. She has worked for various publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, and literary agencies and has edited the work of authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams. Her column “Hope’s Hacks,” tips and tricks to avoid writer’s block, reaches 6,000+ readers weekly and is featured monthly on Cyle Young’s blog. Her modern-day Daniel, Blaze, (Illuminate YA) released in June, and they contracted the sequel Den for July 2020. Her YA superhero chat fiction “Dear Hero” is set to release January 2021. Find out more about her here.
When did the writing journey begin for you?
Technically, I’ve always been writing. I think my mom has three-page books I scrawled back in first grade buried somewhere in her garage. With that being said, I never considered writing a novel until I reached high school. My best friend was in the habit of writing them, and I wanted to be cool like my friend, so I wrote.
Do you have any favorite characters in the stories you write?
Oooh, tricky. I’ll boil down my favorite characters in the next few releases/already published books, because I have so many favorites.
Blaze – Hannah. I love her morbid energy and the face she doesn’t care about what anyone thinks.
Den – Still Hannah 🙂
Dear Hero – I love Kevin. He’s a ridiculous theater nerd/frat boy, and everyone needs a good sidekick.
Dear Henchman – Liam. I don’t want to give away too much, but basically he’s insane and I love him and want to marry him.
Vision (fingers crossed, it’s at pub board now) – Still Hannah
Do you dream about your characters?
I wish. Instead I get nightmares about being back in high school and teeth falling out.
Have you based any characters on real life people?
I don’t know how libelous I can get in this question. In the Blaze trilogy, no (unless you count the historical figures of Daniel and his three friends). In other books … quite possibly 😉
Snack or no snack while writing?
I usually take breaks after every 1,000 words, so snacking does occur.
What is your favorite time of day and why?
9:36. It’s my favorite multiple of nine. I love the number nine, but don’t get me started on why. We have limited page space.
Thank you Hope Bolinger!
Have a blessed day,
Melissa